Dwyane Wade Supports Son After Attending Pride Parade

“I think as a family, we should support each other."

Dwyane Wade is best known for his abilities on the basketball court, as the future Hall of Famer won three NBA championships for the Miami Heat over the course of his 16-season career. And Wade has proven to be every bit as skilled in the parenting department; he even took paternity leave after the birth of his daughter back in November. And Wade once again proved himself to be an amazing dad when he offered his support to his 12-year-old son, Zion, after he attended the pride parade in Miami for the first time.

Wade was not able to be at the parade due to scheduling conflicts, but he still managed to give Zion some major love by sharing photos of him with his wife, Gabrielle Union, and 17-year-old son, Zaire, on his Instagram stories. The proud father declared, “We support each other with pride” and wrote, “wish I was there to see you smile kid.”

The posts received almost universal support from his 13 million followers but, of course, there were some trolls who criticized Wade for being a loving father to his son. And in an interview with Variety, Wade reasserted his unwavering pride of Zion, along with explaining why he chooses to voice his support rather than speaking on his son’s behalf.

“I don’t really talk about it much because it’s Zion’s story to tell,” Wade told Variety. “I think as a family, we should support each other. That’s our job. And my job as a father is to facilitate their lives and to support them and be behind them in whatever they want to do.”

Wade talked about how part of being a dad is acknowledging that each of his kids is unique and there is no straightforward formula to parenting.

ADVERTISEMENT

“They are all different, and I have to get to know them and where they are,” Wade says. “I have to say to most parents, get to know your kids. Don’t put your wants and needs on them.”

Wade does admit that the negative criticism his kids face can make him uncomfortable at times but he is trying his best to give his kids the love and encouragement they need to discover who they are and who they want to be.

“I’m very uneasy about accolades that come from supporting my kids or the negativity that comes from it,” Wade explains. “I’m doing what every parent has to do. Once you bring kids into this world, you become unselfish. It’s my job to be their role model, to be their voice in my kids’ lives, to let them know you can conquer the world. So, go and be your amazing self and we’re going to sit back and just love you.”

Parenting during a pandemic is hard.
Sign up for our daily newsletter full of tricks, tips, and relevant medical information.